THE pews of St James’ Church in Trowbridge filled up for a special service to celebrate Women’s World Day of Prayer.

The service, led by Reverend Jane Palmer, brought together worshippers from different churches in Trowbridge to St James’ in Church Street to pray and focus on the theme of justice and peace across the world. The service on March 3 welcomed over 100 people to the church for a morning of prayer.

Rev Palmer, 33, said: “It was a really lovely service, we had so many people turn up to pray. The day is celebrated in over 170 countries across the world. This year focused on world peace and justice and was accompanied by a panting which was done by a member of the church in the Philippines. The day started off as just women from what I understand but it has changed over recent years.

“The mayor and deputy mayor attended the service as well which I was very surprised by, it was really lovely to see them at the church.”

The morning acted as Rev Palmer’s first celebration of Women’s World Day of Prayer whilst leading the service.

“It was my first and it did go very well in my opinion. It was lovely to see so many people come together in prayer from so many different backgrounds. It was just a wonderful morning for everyone and the church,” added Rev Palmer.

The World Day of Prayer is an international Christian laywomen’s initiative and is run under the motto Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action and is usually celebrated on the first Friday in March.